SEPTEMBER WEBINARS FROM BANKERS TITLE

It's Time to Challenge The Fed

by David H. Stevens, CMB

If you care about protecting the ‘American Dream’ of homeownership - the time is now to say enough! Inflation at 3.2% as recently released is far less a risk than crushing families with outrageous cost increases. This is most important when you already can see the trend of inflation clearly declining rapidly from its highs in 2022. Our advocates and leaders need to say ENOUGH! A long winter is coming - let the seasonal change finish the economic slow down. Stop the rate hikes. Ask your advocates to start talking about this. Whether trade groups at the state or federal level, members of congress, or consumer advocacy organizations, or simply using your social media posts, a collective increase in the noise level could help. This has really gotten out of hand. Click HERE to read more.

Data PointsTo A Cooling In The Housing Market This Fall

by Mike Simonsen

Mortgage rates have been stubbornly above 7% for two months and it sure looks like home buyers are growing weary. We can see signs that buyers are slowing, both in the sales volume and in the sales price data. This slowdown is not like last year, instead, it’s just slightly fewer buyers each week. As a result, sales volumes are inching down — making slightly worse comparisons to last year.

This is a different trend from January through June when demand was higher than we expected. It was mid-June when it looked like mortgage rates might continue to ease down but then the opposite happened. Rates rose from six to seven and that affordability impacts buyers. These subtle shifts are useful to watch each week so that we’re not surprised when some monthly number in the news comes in below expectations. Click HERE to read on.

Mortgage Payoff Fraud Rises 532% Quarter-Over-Quarter: CertifID

by Brooklee Han



With home sale transactions down, fraudsters are turning to mortgage payoff fraud to secure bigger payouts. Mortgage payoff fraud occurs when a title company mistakenly sends a mortgage payoff to a fraudulent bank account after receiving wiring instructions that appear to be from the mortgage servicer. The instructions, however, are actually from fraudsters. Mortgage payoff fraud doesn't always get as much attention as scams like seller impersonation (which is "seen" by a broader set of agents and consumers) -- but it's one of the biggest threats to a real estate or title firm today. Click HERE to read on.

Please consider participating in the Tech for Troops Golf Tournament

on September 11th at Richmond Country Club

A Bit About Tech For Troops (T4T)

Tech For Troops is dedicated to empowering Veterans and their family with computers, skills, and Information Technology (IT) work force training. We are a non-partisan, non-discriminatory Veteran services organization. Our vision is to turn your donations into Training, Education and Technology for Veterans and their family in need. Working computers can provide a new life to struggling Veterans rather than being discarded. Many Veterans face two significant barriers when competing in the modern workforce: the lack of a computer and the lack of the skills needed to effectively use that computer. T4T supports these Veterans by collecting used technology that would usually end up in landfills, then refurbishing the laptops and other devices. We provide the reloaded technology, along with training, to Veterans in need for low or no cost. Click HERE for more information and to register to play in the Tech for Troops Golf Tournament.

Bankers Title is a Proud Sponsor for the Tech For Troops Golf Tournament.

8 Tips for Avoiding Your Leadership Blindspots

by Robert Bruce Shaw

Leaders are faced with two conflicting needs. The first is to act with a deep confidence in their abilities and the strategies they are implementing. The second is to be aware of their vulnerabilities and the need for a healthy dose of self-doubt. Those who fail to do so run the risk of having blindspots — which are the unrecognized weaknesses or threats that have the potential to harm a leader and his or her company. Learning to ask the right questions in the right way is a key technique for surfacing blindspots that can easily be overlooked.Click HERE to read on.

These are 5 Ways Surging Mortgage Rates Are Reshaping the Housing Market

by Scott Horsley

Mortgage rates have climbed to the highest level in more than two decades — and that's leading to a split-screen market in housing. Sales of existing homes have fallen sharply, but new homes are selling fast, as the shortage of "For Sale" signs elsewhere drives more buyers to consider new construction. Click HERE to learn more.

The Art of Mental Toughness: How Extraordinary Individuals Thrive in the Face of Adversity

by Polina Marinova Pompiano

Mental toughness is a quality that sets extraordinary individuals apart from the rest, enabling them to endure discomfort and uncertainty for extended periods. But what exactly is mental toughness? Can it be achieved without undergoing severe stress and trauma? Why do some people seem to possess it inherently while others struggle to develop it? Delving into the world of mental toughness, I explore techniques used by remarkable individuals to master it. Click HERE to learn more.